Potential strike action in Spain - 29 September and UEFA Champions League

Friday 24, September 2010

Next week there is a general strike in Spain which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 29 September.

The strike will potentially affect the movement of all flights to and from Spain and the Spanish Islands on that day.

Spanish trade unions have agreed with the government to provide a minimum of between 20 and 40 percent of international flights on September 29 during a general strike, media reported.

The situation is being monitored closely and all passengers booked to travel on 29 September are advised to check the airlines' website regularly for updated information.

United monitoring Spanish strike

Manchester United's travel organisers are considering alternative arrangements for getting fans to the UEFA Champions League encounter with Valencia on 29 September.

The game clashes with a general strike that has been called in Spain for that day, which threatens to cause travel chaos around the country. UEFA were aware of the situation at an early stage but having given indications they would turn down any request to move the fixture, United have been left with little alternative other than to hope a resolution can be found.

Although any disruption should not affect Sir Alex Ferguson's travel plans, supporters are likely to experience major problems, especially those intending to travel out on the day. United have posted warnings on their official website but there are none on the site of Thomas Cook Sport, the club's new travel partner, who are responsible for the official trips many fans choose to go on.

However, Thomas Cook Sport insist they are monitoring events closely. "We take any threat of action that may impact on travel plans extremely seriously and we are monitoring the situation closely," said a spokesman for Thomas Cook UK and Ireland. "Should any strikes be confirmed, fans will be able to get all their money back or take advantage of alternative travel arrangements which we're already considering."

A spokesperson for Manchester United added: "We are constantly in touch with UEFA on the possibility of a general strike in Valencia on September 29 and we will keep fans up to date through our website and work with Thomas Cook on travel plans."

Find the best deals available today

The grey menu on the right is your best friend. Always check before you travel.

More and more travellers think that researching and planning a European city break is half the fun and they're not interested in pre-arranged trips or escorted tours. Self-guided tours offer a lot of advantages but require some guidance and good resources.